Used ThinkPad Buyer's Guide gets Hacker News attention
A 2019 guide to purchasing refurbished business laptops resurfaces on Hacker News, sparking discussion about old hardware durability.
What to know
- A 2019 guide to used ThinkPad purchases resurfaced on Hacker News, recommending models starting at $50 as durable alternatives to new hardware.
- Commenters emphasize the durability and longevity of older business-grade laptops, with several still actively using machines from 2012-2015.
- The thread surfaced frustration with modern laptop design: reduced repairability, soldered RAM, and lack of socketed components compared to older ThinkPads.
- Discussants note the guide is outdated and request updates reflecting current market conditions and modern ThinkPad specifications.
The dispute Whether modern laptop design improvements in thinness and weight justify the loss of user repairability and upgradability that characterized older business-class machines. · positions read across 13 posts and comments
Older ThinkPads remain practical and cost-effective despite age; their customizability and durability justify continued use over new alternatives.
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“My main laptop where I do lots of programming and writing is an old T490s, i7 8th Gen, 16 gigs of RAM, running FreeBSD, that I paid around 150 euros last year.”
CrociDB · Hacker News ↗
Modern laptop design has sacrificed user repairability and upgrade options that older models provided, making them less practical for long-term ownership.
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“I really miss the customization that older laptops offered, especially the socketed CPUs.”
mdspan · Hacker News ↗
Framework and other modular laptop designs offer the repairability and customization that modern mainstream laptops no longer provide.
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“You'll feel right at home with something from Frame.work (writing this comment from my 13" FW). If they ever sell their 12" version with AMD cpu, I might get one as well.”
aljgz · Hacker News ↗
Mr_Minderbinder Guide author and Hacker News poster
How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
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Users discuss practical challenges with older ThinkPad ownership
Commenters surface specific frustrations with maintaining and upgrading older models, including difficulty sourcing replacement parts like genuine keyboards and the challenge of finding business-class laptops with modern specs and repairability.
“Anyone have any pointers for sourcing genuine keyboards for thinkpads? I seem to run out of luck with them everytime.”
— windex -
Somewhat tangential, but Lenovo's website is an absolute shitshow. It is so hard to find a laptop that matches a bunch of criteria. Their search facets are next to useless. Not to mention glacially slow. It's almost like they don't actually want to sell laptops.I probably buy more laptops than most people, I've owned some 30 thinkpads in my…
2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch
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When I was shopping for that same CPU a couple of years ago for my T530, the cheapest way I found to get one to my door was to buy it already-installed in the bottom-half of a whole 'nother T530 -- with the nVidia upgrade (which I already had).I thought it was pretty amusing to get the CPU and a complete pile of spare guts for less than the price…
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using a T470s currently with 20GB memory and a 2tb ssd, but it cannot keep up anymore because it has only 2 CPU cores Ubuntu/wayland is really sluggish sometimes. i think i'll go for a 5th gen T14. too bad that you can't upgrade the RAM anymore on the new T14s models... and also they ditched the LAN port at some point on the s
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Commenters note the guide's outdated information
Users point out that the 2019 guide is beginning to feel stale and could benefit from updates reflecting current hardware realities and the state of modern ThinkPad lineups.
“A newer guide would be good, as some of the information now is a bit outdated.”
— CrociDB -
Hah I'm doing this with some models of that same era judging by the CPU you cited. I had frankensteined one laptop from like the best parts out of three I had from that era, got xubuntu on it, running fine-ish but the Wi-Fi antenna ran through the on-board display chassis, which was destroyed. Took off the top clamshell, was gonna put ether in it…
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
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I was looking for a Notebook (best case Thinkpad) with the following Criteria:- Business class- Ryzen 5 or greater (Strix Halo would be great)- >= 32GB RAM (soldered would be ok)- 14.5" WQHD 2560x1440 Display (>1920x1200)- NO Numpad / centered keyboard- >=70Wh BatteryThere just is hardly anything to find in this category. There is Dell Precision…
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A newer guide would be good, as some of the information now is a bit outdated. But I love the concept. My main laptop where I do lots of programming and writing is an old T490s, i7 8th Gen, 16 gigs of RAM, running FreeBSD, that I paid around 150 euros last year. :)
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Commenters express nostalgia for older laptop customization
Multiple Hacker News users respond by sharing experiences with upgrading and repairing older ThinkPads, with some noting frustration that modern laptops lack the same level of hardware hackability and upgradability.
“I really miss the customization that older laptops offered, especially the socketed CPUs.”
— mdspan -
I really miss the customization that older laptops offered, especially the socketed CPUs. I remember putting a i7-3840QM in my T430 and having it shut down due to overheating every few minutes to the point where I had to install the heat sink from the GPU model. Was fun tinkering around with it and I wish modern laptops had a similar level of…
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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Never managed to get one myself, but Framework laptops could be your thing as well?
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Used ThinkPad Buyer's Guide posted to Hacker News
A 2019 guide to purchasing refurbished ThinkPad laptops was shared on Hacker News by Mr_Minderbinder, describing models available from $50 and explaining why used business-grade hardware offers long-term value.
“Used ThinkPads are cheap because they are business-grade computers - and business-grade equipment is purchased new typically every 3-4 years.”
— Mr_Minderbinder, Guide author · source -
1 outlet first by HN Frontpage, 2d ago · read ↗
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What people are saying 4 voices from 1 site · best of 13 · verbatim
- Where can users reliably source genuine replacement parts like keyboards for older ThinkPads?
- What business-class laptops currently available offer the combination of Ryzen 5+ CPU, 32GB upgradeable RAM, high-res 14.5" display, and no numpad that some commenters are seeking?
- Sep 22
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Here, I'll simplify it somewhat:- Get the model T480 (avoid the T480s)- Verify that both thunderbolt ports work before buying.- After purchase, update firmware and bios as a step one.- Install your favourite OS.
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You'll feel right at home with something from Frame.work (writing this comment from my 13" FW).If they ever sell their 12" version with AMD cpu, I might get one as well.Encouraged my friend to buy one, his feedback: "best piece of tech in my past few years."
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I'm getting the sense from the comments here so far that I'm likely to be the only one still using a Thinkpad T530 from 2012.It still works.
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I refuse to buy any laptop that doesn't have an easily swappable SSD. I don't want to have to open up the case to swap out the SSD.Yes, I realize that this requirement limits me to 15-year-old Toughbooks and Getacs.